Rinehart’s MP Buy Could Trigger Rare Earths Mining Mega Merger

A combination of Lynas and MP would create the biggest source of rare earths outside China with a number of growth options that include integrating the Nolans project of Arafura into a merged entity.

Rinehart could also bring Brazilian Rare Earths, in which she has a 5.8% stake, into a deal. The Brazilian company is developing the Rocha de Rocha project in Bahia State.

The connections between the U.S. and Australian rare earths industry are growing at a government level as well as in production plans.

A joint Critical Metals Taskforce of U.S. and Australian officials agreed last year to map complementary production capacity across the supply chains of both countries.

A Lot In Common

The interests of MP and Lynas also intersect in Texas where they are each building technically complex rare earth separation plants to supply finished products to the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Rinehart’s acquisition of a 5.3% stake in MP has also stirred interest in Lynas on the Australian stock exchange where the stock has risen by 7.5% over the last three days.

There are a lot of moving parts in the U.S. and Australian rare earth industries but the companies involved, and their major shareholders have a lot in common.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timtreadgold/2024/04/09/rineharts-mp-buy-could-trigger-a-mega-rare-earths-mining-merger/?sh=2ef3bcfd5179